THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) recognized by the United Nations University (UNU) and the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) organized EnviroMUN on June 2 and 3 in association with Bhoomitrasena, the environment club of College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET).
TP Sreenivasan, Former Ambassador, who inaugurated the Environment Model United Nations (EnviroMUN 2018) at CET, said that the United Nations which was established primarily to prevent wars failed in that area as more than 800 wars happened since its inception. But the existence of UN has become more relevant now, because the UN has extended its agenda to areas like environment, human rights, HIV, AIDS, immunization etc, all of which were not in its original charter.
The former Ambassador stated that it was unfortunate that with the Paris Agreement, where everything was made voluntary, it is no longer mandatory for any country to take measures against climate change. The developing countries should be allowed to grow using natural resources. Ecofriendly technologies should be made available to them to protect the environment. TP Sreenivasan also noted that the developed counties should change life styles to tackle the environment issue. The solar alliance initiated by India is one of the right means to overcome energy crisis, he added.
He pointed out that many countries had begun showing interest in setting up new nuclear plants with the advent of the idea that nuclear energy does not contribute to climate change. But things changed after Fukushima accident, post which, US$14 billion had to be spent to protect the surrounding areas. He added that the countries gave up their thought on establishing nuclear plants thinking about the loss they will have to face after an accident.
Advocacy of global mix energy policy with respect to renewable energy and impact of trafficking, misusing wildlife and timber were the focal themes at the event. The major commttees including UNEP, UNODC and International Press are also part of EnviroMUN 2018.
The event became a great platform for the students to discuss various topics including environmental issues confronted in the contemporary world. Padma Mahanti, Director, Dept. of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC), Govt. of Kerala was the Chief Guest for the valedictory function.
ANERT, Kerala Youth Commission, Students for Earth Organization and TUNZA Eco Generation were partners for the event. 110 delegates from all over India representing various countries took part in the event.
